Buss bar for batteries

Abstract

A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together comprising:
 a conductive member having a first end configured to be coupled to a terminal of a first electrochemical cell, a second end configured to be coupled to a terminal of a second electrochemical cell, and an elongated body between the first end and second end, the body comprising a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar; and 
 a voltage sense terminal separate from the terminals of the first and second electrochemical cells coupled to the conductive member, wherein a portion of the voltage sense terminal extends through an aperture defined by the elongated body of the conductive member. 
 
     
     
       2. The buss bar of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover coupled to the conductive member to at least partially electrically insulate the buss bar. 
     
     
       3. The buss bar of  claim 2 , wherein the cover substantially envelops edges of the conductive member and at least a portion of a face of the conductive member. 
     
     
       4. The buss bar of  claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises a first end and a second end and defines at least one aperture on each of the first end and second end. 
     
     
       5. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the stress relief region comprises a reduced cross-section in relation to a cross-section of the body. 
     
     
       6. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the stress relief region comprises an arch feature configured to help improve the flexibility of the buss bar. 
     
     
       7. The buss bar of  claim 6 , wherein the arch feature is at least one of at least partially V-shaped, at least partially U-shaped, and at least partially C-shaped. 
     
     
       8. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive member is constructed of a substantially rigid material of substantially uniform composition. 
     
     
       9. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage sense terminal includes a wire crimp and is coupled to the conductive member by at least one of a riveting and a welding operation. 
     
     
       10. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage sense terminal comprises a flexible bulge received by the aperture defined by the body of the conductive member in order to couple the voltage sense terminal to the conductive member. 
     
     
       11. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the conductive member has a substantially circular shape and comprises an aperture configured to receive the terminal of the first electrochemical cell therethrough, wherein the aperture is generally concentric with the circular shape of the first end. 
     
     
       12. The buss bar of  claim 6 , wherein the arch feature comprises a first portion at a height above the body and a second portion at a height below the body. 
     
     
       13. The buss bar of  claim 6 , further comprising a cover coupled to the conductive member, the cover substantially conforming to the arch feature of the stress relief region. 
     
     
       14. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage sense terminal is configured to be coupled to the body by laser welding. 
     
     
       15. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage sense terminal is configured to be coupled to the body by a rivet apparatus. 
     
     
       16. The buss bar of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture defined by the elongated body is located essentially between the first end and the second end of the conductive member.